Bryn Athyn College of the New Church

The academic experience here is unapologetically theological—even biology courses explore 'the spiritual dimensions of natural phenomena,' per the college's website. Bryn Athyn offers a tight-knit liberal arts curriculum where all majors, from business to education, incorporate Swedenborgian theology. Small class sizes are the norm, with most seminars capping at 15 students. The most distinctive programs include:

• Sacred Music, blending liturgical training with performance
• Religion & Theology, deeply tied to New Church doctrine
• Biological Sciences, taught through a lens of 'divine order in nature'

Founded in 1877, the college maintains a 4-1-4 academic calendar with a January term for intensive study or internships. There's no graduate school, keeping focus squarely on undergraduate teaching.

This is not a party school—Niche reviews describe a 'quiet' social scene shaped by the dry campus policy and strict curfews, particularly for underclassmen. With 73-74% of freshmen living on campus (per The Princeton Review and U.S. News), dorm life revolves around close-knit spiritual communities rather than Greek life (which doesn't exist here). Instagram posts show students ice skating on the campus pond and attending vespers in the cathedral-like chapel. The college leans heavily into New Church traditions, including:

• Weekly worship services in the Bryn Athyn Cathedral
• Community service tied to Swedenborgian principles
• Outdoor activities leveraging the 130-acre arboretum campus

Athletics compete in NCAA Division III, with men's basketball and women's soccer being particularly active programs.

The numbers tell a mixed story: while 40% graduate in four years (per Data USA and U.S. News), those who persist earn a median salary of $32,083 six years post-graduation—low even for small liberal arts colleges. The College Scorecard shows higher-than-average debt levels, though exact figures aren't published. Notably, the theology-heavy curriculum seems to funnel graduates into:

• Ministry and religious education roles
• Nonprofit work tied to New Church networks
• Local teaching positions in Pennsylvania

Career services emphasize placements within Swedenborgian communities, with less focus on corporate recruiting pipelines common at secular liberal arts colleges.

Bryn Athyn meets 97% of students with grants or scholarships, bringing the average net price to $20,728 (per CollegeIQ). The financial aid office reports that:

• 98% of students receive some form of aid
• Freshman packages average $25k+ in grants/scholarships
• 79% qualify for need-based aid?Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements.

Unique scholarships like the $2,100 'New Church Student Award' target those from Swedenborgian backgrounds. The net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests families earning $48K-$75K pay around $27,221 after aid—still steep for the modest post-grad earnings.

Bryn Athyn is one of only two colleges worldwide affiliated with the General Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian). Its singular blend of liberal arts and theology creates an environment where:

• Science labs discuss 'correspondences between nature and spirit'
• Music majors train for cathedral choirs, not concert halls
• Dorm RAs double as spiritual mentors

The campus itself—a Gothic-revival masterpiece adjacent to the Bryn Athyn Cathedral—feels more monastic than collegiate. This is higher education as sacred vocation, best suited for students all-in on Swedenborgianism. Those seeking a conventional college experience will chafe at the rules and niche focus, but for the right believer, it's a total immersion in New Church life.